Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current right ear hearing loss is related to his noise exposure in service. For left ear hearing loss, the Board found it was at least as likely as not incurred during service due to noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to potential issues with the VA audiology evaluation. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability remains denied as new and material evidence was not presented.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and COPD due to inadequate rationale in the previous VA opinions. The Veteran's service connection claims are being returned for further development.

The Board has denied an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and has remanded the issue of service connection for a skin condition due to exposure to burn pits. The Veteran's claim is pending further development.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The cases for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral shoulder disability are remanded due to incomplete records.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, and TDIU before the Board could make a decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hearing loss, fibromyalgia, ED, myelitis of the cervical spine, rheumatic myalgia, and skin disorder due to potential service connection based on exposure to petrochemical agents, lubricants, solvents and/or substances during active duty service. The VA will conduct additional examinations and obtain any necessary medical records to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was evaluated as noncompensable, and the Board denied a compensable evaluation based on the current evidence of record.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for right ear hearing loss and skin cancer. For right ear hearing loss, a new VA examination is needed to determine if he now meets the threshold requirements for compensation under 38 C.F.R. § 3.385. For skin cancer, a VA examination is also needed to assess its relationship to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and has remanded the issue of service connection for a cardiovascular disorder, characterized as CAD and CHF.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected due to in-service noise exposure. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and right shoulder disability are remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss disability, carpal tunnel syndrome of the right and left upper extremities, and right leg varicose veins have been denied.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are currently rated as follows: 10 percent for tinnitus; 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss disability; 10 percent for carpal tunnel syndrome of the right upper extremity prior to November 27, 2013 and from November 1, 2015; 10 percent for carpal tunnel syndrome of the left upper extremity prior to November 27, 2013 and from November 1, 2015; and 10 percent for right leg varicose veins.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence of these conditions during or within one year after service. The Board also found that any current hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to military noise exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current hearing disability and his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities make it impossible for him to secure and maintain gainful employment, so a total disability rating based on individual unemployability is granted.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions were not incurred or aggravated by his military service.

The Board denied a claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's hearing levels did not warrant a higher rating during any portion of the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and PTSD due to insufficient evidence or need for further examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that his current hearing loss did not originate in service or within a year of service and is not otherwise etiologically related to his active service.

The Veteran's PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and bladder cancer with residuals are all granted. The Veteran's PTSD is linked to his service due to in-service stressors. His bilateral hearing loss is also related to his service. However, the claim for bladder cancer was remanded as new evidence did not establish a link between exposure to herbicides and the condition.